I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 737 The True Emperor for All Ages! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

The thought that they might be assisting an unprecedented, and perhaps even unparalleled, emperor, participating in and witnessing an epic undertaking that would sweep across the entire continent, filled Zhao Wenyuan and Guo Poyun with a surge of excitement that made them unable to contain themselves.

Zhao Wenyuan bowed first, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Your Majesty's ambition shines as brightly as the sun and moon! Though I am unworthy, I am willing to exert all my strength to help Your Majesty establish this everlasting dynasty! As for Yongzhou's affairs, I will certainly cooperate closely with General Guo to stabilize the country, allocate resources, and serve as Your Majesty's support!"

Guo Poyun knelt down on one knee, his eyes gleaming with fervor, and shouted, "Your Majesty! This old minister is a rough man and doesn't understand many grand principles! But this old minister knows that by following Your Majesty, we can fight the most exhilarating battles and achieve the greatest feats! Unify the continent!"

Hahaha! Just hearing that gets my blood pumping! Your Majesty, please go with peace of mind. With your old ministers at Tian Ce, there will be no chaos! Your old ministers and your men are ready to answer your call at any time and clear away all obstacles for you!

The attitudes of the two high-ranking officials had already demonstrated their absolute support. Li Chen looked at them and nodded slightly: "With my two beloved ministers here, I have no worries. I entrust the affairs of the country to you."

Leaving the imperial study and stepping out of the imposing palace gates, the afternoon sun shone on the two of them.

Guo Poyun did not leave immediately. He stopped and looked up at the clear blue sky, his gaze distant, as if he were reminiscing about something.

Seeing this, Zhao Wenyuan asked with some curiosity, "General Guo, what's wrong? Are you still thinking about what His Majesty said?"

Guo Poyun slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his tone carrying a rare complexity and emotion: "Prime Minister Zhao, I'm just suddenly a little dazed. His Majesty's ambition is too grand, so grand that even this old man feels like he's dreaming."

He paused, his voice lowering slightly, "Tell me, before these old bones of mine are buried in the ground, will I have the fortune to witness the day His Majesty truly unifies the continent?"

Without waiting for Zhao Wenyuan's reply, he continued as if talking to himself, "If that day ever comes, when I get down there and see the late emperor, I'll have a good chat with him."
He must be told that the prince he least favored back then, the sixth prince whom he thought was mediocre and incapable of great responsibility, is now the undisputed greatest ruler of this continent! His achievements far surpass those of all previous emperors! He is a true ruler for all ages!

His words lacked the roughness of his court speech, replaced by endless sighs, pride, and an almost pious expectation.

Zhao Wenyuan listened quietly without disturbing him, because he knew that Guo Poyun's mood at this moment was the same as his, and that of countless ministers who followed His Majesty, all immersed in a great anticipation and excitement for creating history.

Li Chen was not in a hurry to set off for the Eternal Day Empire or the East Sea.

The system task is important, but given his efficiency, completing it is not difficult.

In contrast, he was more concerned about the stability and development of the Tian Ce Empire itself, especially the progress of his younger sister Li Si Ning's cultivation, which needed time to settle and could not be rushed.

After the Great Luo Dynasty became a vassal state, the Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan took charge of coordinating and arranging many subsequent matters. Li Chen only needed to designate a specific person to liaise with him, without having to do everything himself.

Before leaving the capital and embarking on his journey again, Li Chen decided to take some time to conduct an undercover investigation within the capital.

He knew all too well that no matter how detailed and thorough the reports from his ministers were, the data on paper would never be the same as what he saw with his own eyes.

Many details and genuine local customs are often hidden in bustling streets and alleys and the ordinary atmosphere of everyday life.

"Let's just take a break from our busy schedules and go shopping." Li Chen changed into an inconspicuous blue scholar's robe, concealing the imperial aura that made people afraid to look directly at him, and blended into the bustling crowds of the capital like an ordinary nobleman.

Walking on the wide and smooth Zhuque Avenue, one is greeted by an unprecedented scene of prosperity.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their banners fluttering in the breeze. Merchants from all over the continent, dressed in different styles of clothing, haggled over prices in Tian Ce Mandarin with different accents. The goods were dazzling, ranging from ice marrow from the far north to pearls from the South China Sea, from spices from the Western Regions to silk from the Eastern Border.

What pleased Li Chen even more was the spirit of the common people. The pale-faced pedestrians of the past were now a rare sight; instead, neatly dressed citizens with rosy complexions were seen. The food stalls along the roadside emitted enticing aromas, and many people sat around enjoying the food, clearly indicating that basic needs were no longer a problem.

The popularity of cultivation far exceeded Li Chen's expectations.

Not only are there many cultivators with considerable auras everywhere, but more importantly, many "fitness centers" catering to the general public have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

These fitness centers charge low fees and teach only the most basic body-strengthening methods and rudimentary breathing techniques, yet they give countless ordinary people the opportunity to experience cultivation and improve their health.

You can see porters carrying goods and shop assistants taking breaks, and they will subconsciously adjust their breathing and stretch their muscles according to the methods taught at the fitness center.

When even the most ordinary people in a country have the opportunity and awareness to improve their physical fitness, the foundation and potential of that country are unimaginable.

The abundance of resources has indeed led to more competition, and the competition among martial arts schools of all sizes in the capital has become increasingly fierce. However, the overall order has remained stable under the strong regulation of the authorities.

After all, sect cultivators can enter the capital, but they cannot stay there. This is the rule, and it reflects the respect, even fear, that all sect cultivators have for Emperor Li Chen.

But martial arts schools are allowed, as they have to pay taxes.

The significant increase in the number of cultivators means a much higher probability of the emergence of powerful individuals, and the empire's military strength is gradually and subtly increasing.

Strolling along, Li Chen's first stop was outside the Ministry of Imperial Clan Affairs.

The Department of Sect Affairs is responsible for managing all sects and cultivators, as well as resource allocation, and has extremely heavy authority.

He didn't disturb anyone; he simply stood on the street corner and observed for a moment.

The government office was imposing and solemn, and those entering and leaving all walked in a hurry, their expressions filled with awe for the Ministry of Revenue.

Before long, Lin Yue'e, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Affairs, emerged from the yamen surrounded by her subordinates, seemingly preparing to go out on official business. Lin Yue'e's cultivation had now become even more profound, emanating a faint but palpable aura of a powerful figure.

She was dressed in the official robes of a high-ranking official, her posture upright and her face still beautiful, but there was a hint of majesty and coldness in her eyes, cultivated from long years of holding great power.

She listened to her subordinates' reports with unwavering focus, speaking concisely and issuing clear and explicit instructions. All the officials around her, high and low, held their breath and trembled with fear, clearly terrified of this female minister known for her strictness and efficiency.

Li Chen smiled slightly. Lin Yue'e, who was about to board the carriage, stopped abruptly when she saw him. The icy serious expression on her face instantly melted away, and even a hint of panic and surprise flashed across her face.

She immediately instructed her attendants, "I have urgent business to attend to and my journey will be temporarily postponed. You may return to handle your official duties."

After saying that, he ignored the surprised looks of his subordinates and strode towards Li Chen's direction.

Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Minister Lin, whom they usually held in high esteem, walked up to the scholar in the blue robe, lowered his eyelids slightly, and spoke with a hint of barely perceptible respect and submissiveness: "You...you've come here."

(End of this chapter)